Cardinals come back for 5-2 victory over Midland

The Springfield Cardinals broke open a pitchers duel in the late innings as they took advantage of the Midland RockHounds bullpen for a 5-2 victory Tuesday in front of 3,976 fans at Hammons Field.

Springfield starter Scott Gorgen and RockHounds starter A.J. Griffen were locked in a pitchers duel for the first six innings, with Gorgen surrendering in the only run in the early part of the game. But both were on 80-pitch pitch counts, and both left the game after the sixth inning.

Once the RockHounds bullpen made an appearance, the Cardinals (3-3) went to work. The Cardinals picked up two walks in the first three batters of the seventh, and both players eventually came around to score. Adam Melker and Tommy Pham each had RBI singles in the three-run seventh inning.

The Cardinals added insurance runs in the eighth after a leadoff walk and single both came around to score on an RBI single from Jake Shaffer. Midland got one run back in the ninth inning, but Sam Freeman eventually secured his first save of the season.

Springfield now heads out on a six-game road trip to Frisco and Midland.

About Erin Bolen

Erin joined the News-Leader in 2008 to cover Missouri State women's basketball and local golf. She previously worked at the San Angelo (Texas) Standard-Times covering a variety of sports, and yes, she's seen the titular Friday Night Lights. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she interned with the Dallas Cowboys for two seasons and learned how to avoid cameras being set on her head during media scrums.
A life-long sports fan, she can be found at Mediacom Ice Park or watching NHL games or international soccer friendlies in her spare time.